Carrawell joins Marquette staff

Not surprisingly, Steve Wojciechowski reached back to his Duke roots to fill the first spot on his Marquette staff on Monday.

Less than a week after Wojciechowski was named the Golden Eagles head coach, he hired former Duke guard Chris Carrawell as one of his assistants.

Carrawell and Wojciechowski were teammates with the Blue Devils, with Wojciechowski’s career ending in 1998. Carrawell was the ACC player of the year in 2000.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Chris and couldn’t be more excited about him joining the Marquette family,” Wojciechowski said. “I have obviously had the chance to play and coach with him and have remained in constant contact and followed his career after his departure from Duke.

“Chris has a great understanding of the game of basketball and his personality will allow him to develop great relationships with our players,” Wojciechowski added. “We are going to focus on player skill development at Marquette, and Chris’ coaching and playing experience make him a valuable addition to the staff and a vital piece to our on-court instruction.”

Following his professional playing career overseas, Carrawell returned to Duke in 2008 and worked a variety of jobs in the Blue Devils basketball program. He’s spent the last three years as an assistant coach with the Springfield (Mass.) Armor in the NBA Development League.

Irving, who played at Duke, told the Akron Beacon Journal, “Guys like Josh Gordon need to stay in his sport and mind his own business.”

Then Gordon tweeted: “... think i touched a nerve.”

Irving has been upset with other media reports about him wanting to leave Cleveland.

Four decades since Aaron’s huge homer

ATLANTA — Today is the 40th anniversary of Hank Aaron’s 715th home run that broke Babe Ruth’s record.

Aaron’s record-breaking homer will be celebrated before the Atlanta Braves’ home opener today against the New York Mets.

Hate mail and threats made it tough for Aaron to savor the chase of Ruth’s revered record. On Monday, Aaron said he’ll enjoy the anniversary with old friends like former teammate Dusty Baker returning for the pregame ceremony.

Aaron, 80, is recovering from partial left hip-replacement surgery in February. He hurt his hip when he slipped on ice.

Griner tells her story

NEW YORK — Brittney Griner of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury signed copies of her book, “In My Skin,” at the women’s Final Four in Nashville, Tenn.

The book delves into Griner’s struggles with bullying and taunting because of her size and homosexuality.

Griner is 6-8 and was the No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA draft. She led Baylor to a 40-0 season and the 2012 NCAA title.

‘’Zo’ in Naismith Hall of Fame

DALLAS — Former NBA player Alonzo Mourning has been voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame along with former NBA guard Mitch Richmond and NCAA championship-winning coaches Nolan Richardson and Gary Williams.

The women’s team from Immaculata College, which won three straight national championships in the 1970s, also was chosen.

They all joined the previously announced class of 2014 that includes retired NBA Commissioner David Stern.

The induction ceremony is Aug. 8 in Springfield, Mass.

UNC’s DeShields USBWA’s top freshman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — North Carolina guard Diamond DeShields is the U.S. Basketball Writers Association National Freshman of the Year, the news coming Sunday from the site of the women’s Final Four.

DeShields, the rookie of the year in the ACC, averaged 18 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game and helped UNC get to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament.

Jordan looking for cheerleaders

DURHAM — The Jordan High School cheerleading team will have an interest meeting in the school’s cafeteria on April 24 at 6 p.m.

Tryouts for the team are May 5-7 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Jordan’s main gym.

NCCU senior right-hander Terry McNabb is the pitcher of the week in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. He threw a complete-game shutout in Game 2 of the series against A&T, allowing just three hits and logging a career-high nine strikeouts.

Final frame for NCCU bowling coach

DURHAM — NCCU bowling coach Karen Sanford has announced her retirement. She has been the team’s head coach since 2005.

Assistant bowling coach Ryan Backus is the interim head coach.

UNC wrapping up spring football

CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina’s spring football game at Kenan Stadium is Saturday (3 p.m., ESPN3.com).

Admission is free. UNC players will sign autographs from 12:45-1:45 p.m. in Bell Tower Park in front of the football center.